1 - Bible Studies By Steve



1. MotivateWhat are some ways electronic media have affected our lives?news available (invasively so) all dayable to share events with family and friendsbombarded by people’s opinionstoo many advertisementsopportunities to slam people we don’t like (or get slammed by those who don’t like you)begin to realize that statements made on various media are not necessarily truerealize how news can be slanted to become opinionA video introduction to the lesson is available to view at . If you have no Wi-Fi where you teach, better to download the video to your computer from have thousands of TV channels … mostly mediocre too easy to waste time looking at what is availabletoo easy to view things we shouldn’tpeople are more focused on their devices than face to facepeople can type very quickly with their thumbs2. TransitionElectronic media do not always bring us close to other people.Except for our electronic versions of Scripture, these devices don’t help much being closer to GodPrayer draws us closer to Jesus as our hearts align with His.3. Bible Study3.1 God’s Glory Be SeenListen for what is eternal life.John 17:1-5 (NIV) After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.To what was Jesus referring with the phrase the hour is come? the crucifixion was coming soonthe culmination of Jesus’ ministry of redemption was approachingHe was about to complete the work the Father gave HimWhat request does Jesus ask of the Father? glorify Your Sonso that Your Son will glorify YouFor what purpose did the Father send the Son to dwell among all flesh? so that we can know GodJesus was/is God among us – Immanuel What is the nature and the source of eternal life? to know Godto experience a personal relationship with God through JesusWhat does it mean to glorify God in our lives? How can we bring glory to God?trust, belief, faith – to receive the message of salvation through Jesus Christ as Truth for you personallysubmission to Godobedience, service, ministryallow God to live and work through our livesto allow God’s Spirit to demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit through usto be light and salt to a dark and hurting worldinvolvement in the Great Commission … taking the Good News of salvation to all peoples3.2 Unity with God and among BelieversListen for the importance of unity.John 17:21-23 (NIV) 1 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.Who did Jesus expand His prayer to include?those who trust in and follow Him (initially the disciples)that all believers are united with God the Son and God the Fatherso that the through them the world will believe in Jesus … who He is, and the salvation He has accomplished which means He was praying these same things for us!for all people would ever believe in HimWhat did He desire for them? glory – triumph (spiritually), exaltationunityharmony (when you sing different notes, but they sound good together)when you minister in different ways, but it works good together for the Body of Christ, the churchHow could believers become one? How did Jesus want believers to be unified?in their faith – we trust the same Jesus, the same Truthin their ministryin service – working toward the same goal … the Great Commissionin love for one another (the world will know we are God’s followers by our love) How do Christians today become divided? Why? disagreement over various doctrinal issuesby denominations – this can be both good and bad in some waysby language, by culture, by socioeconomic background, by racesometimes by silly things – the color of the drapes in the sanctuary or which side of the platform the piano goes on – or whether we should even have a piano or organin today’s culture by the choice of what kind of music we have in worship do we need more or less guitars/drums?How does dissention and division among believers hinder belief in Jesus?unbelievers see no difference between themselves and people who claim to know Jesusif something doesn’t help you or make you a better person, why embrace itit misrepresents all of who Jesus is and what He wants to do in people’s livesJesus prayed for unity, not uniformity. What’s the difference? Why is the distinction important in thinking of Jesus’ prayer?unity is to be united in our efforts to live for God and reach the world for Christuniformity is that we all do things the same way, have exactly the same beliefs and valuesuniformity is not needed, and in fact is probably not a good thingbetter to have a variety of ways to take the Gospel to the worldeven variety of denominations that appeals to different personalities and cultures and sub-cultures is a good thingIn what ways can the demonstration of Christian unity (or the lack thereof) impact unbelievers?disunity makes Christians look like a bunch of squabbling kidsdisunity makes Christianity look unattractive, why would someone want to become involved in all that aggravation?unity has a “get on the bandwagon” effect on people’s thinking, they want to be part of something that draws people together, rather than splitting them apart3.3 God’s Love Be KnownListen for our role in communicating God’s love.John 17:24-26 (NIV) "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." What was another desire Jesus expressed to the Father? What was the reason?He wanted His followers to be with Himwanted them to see His glory – grandeur, wonder, power, authorityto experience God’s love – the Father’s love for His Son, Jesusto experience God’s love for them as believersHow have those who believed come to know the Father? through trusting in Jesusby submitting to Jesus as Lordby allowing God to be at work in their livesHow can believers receive more of the Father’s love? daily communication with Godreading, thinking about, and obeying God’s Words in Scripturesubmitting to God’s indwelling Spiritdaily trusting God’s provision, supply, guidanceHow has prayer deepened your connection with God? personal communication with the very God of the universewe can enter into His presence at any time … like walking into the “Oval Office of Heaven”we experience His answers to prayerwe see Him open and close doors of opportunity as He guides usWhat are some ways we can help others know and experience the love of God?share the Good News of Salvationpray for people who need Jesus in their livespray for those who take the Gospel to people in other culturessupport financially the work of missionsparticipate in mission tripsbe willing to send our children and grandchildren to serve God wherever He leads themHow might verse 24 refer not only to our existence in heaven but also to our life here and now on earth?“be with me” can mean our daily walk and fellowship with Jesuswe can observe the glory of who Jesus is and his power at work in our daily lives right nowin a sense that power might be demonstrated even more in the midst of a sinful world – enabling us to live separate and righteous liveswe experience Jesus love for us right now – knowing of His redeeming work on the cross and the new life He creates within us dailyUse the last page as a handout so your learners can take home the application points of this week’s lesson.ApplicationPray for God’s glory. Give up at least five minutes of social media time [or TV watching] Replace with that additional time spent in prayer for God’s glory.Pray for unity. Gather with others to spend time in concentrated prayer. Pray for unity among believers in your church and around the world.Pray for God’s love to be known. Set an alarm on your smartphone for 3:16 every afternoon and pray John 3:16 over at least three people who need to know the Lord. Pray for the spread of the gospel around the world. Pray for opportunities to share Christ through your social media outlets.So, did you get your shot yet? Humph! You’ll need more than a vaccination to do this puzzle. The words go up, down, left, right, and diagonal. And if you want to get help, there’s a jigsaw puzzle to do for that. Humph! Get to it … time’s a wastin’. If you need that help, you can go to . There are further unifying activities there if this is too tough for you.AUTHORITYBEFOREBEGANBELIEVEBROUGHTCOMPLETECOMPLETINGCONTINUECREATIONETERNALFATHERGIVENGLORIFYGLORYGRANTEDHEAVENJESUSCHRISTKNOWLIFELOVELOVEDMYSELFPRAYEDPRESENCERIGHTEOUSSENTUNITYWORKWORLDWord Search Puzzle ................
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